A new standard for energy drinks was just one measure among many
food issues agreed last week by ministers meeting for the first
time at the newly formed Australia New Zealand Food Standards
Council.

A new standard for energy drinks was just one measure among many
food issues agreed last week by ministers meeting for the first
time at the newly formed Australia New Zealand Food Standards
Council (ANZFSC).
Health ministers from the Commonwealth, the States and Territories
and the New Zealand Government are present on the Council as well
as other ministers with relevant portfolios.
Formulated Caffeinated Beverages (FCBs or Energy Drinks) are to be
manufactured in Australia, whereas they were all previously
imported from New Zealand.
Ministers also decided that "energy drinks" will be labelled "this
food contains caffeine"; and "this food is not recommended for
children, pregnant or lactating women and individuals sensitive to
caffeine". The standard is due to take effect before 31
August.
The Council also pushed forward standards relating to health
claims. It agreed that the Food Regulation Standing Committee
develop a policy framework for health and nutritional claims for
further advice to Ministers. The Australia New Zealand Food
Authority (ANZFA) undertook to revise aspects of the drafting of
the proposed standard.
Other measures agreed upon include the adoption of basic
compositional standards of identity for "icon" foods: chocolate,
peanut butter, ice cream, cream, yoghurt, jam and protein levels in
milk.
This means that the main ingredient present in the product must not
be lower than specified levels. For instance a minimum of 20 per
cent cocoa solids and a maximum 5 per cent fats other than cocoa
butter and diary fat for chocolate, a minimum peanut level of 85
per cent for peanut butter and a minimum of 40 per cent of ingoing
fruit for jam.
The ministers also allowed a variation to the list of approved
artificial sweetening substances to include a new substance called
Neotame.
Neotame has a sweetness potency 7000-13000 times greater than that
of sugar. ANZFA​ had advised that it poses no risk to public
health and safety.